Per Mertesacker wants quick Arsenal reply

Defender Per Mertesacker accepts Arsenal only have themselves to blame for their nightmare start to the Premier League season but perhaps it was just what the squad needed to refocus for the battles ahead.

Arsene Wenger’s men were beaten 2-0 at home by West Ham on Sunday, with summer signing Petr Cech enduring an Arsenal debut to forget after the former Chelsea goalkeeper flapped at a free-kick which Cheikhou Kouyate headed in, before being left wrong- footed by a low effort from Mauro Zarate in the second-half.

The Gunners had gone into the new campaign with fresh hope for a sustained challenge following some impressive displays in pre-season, which culminated with victory for the FA Cup holders over Chelsea.